A Directory of Towns, Villages, and Hamlets
Past and
Present
of Johnson County, Missouri

Compiled by Arthur Paul Moser

Johnson County

[I]

Johnson County was organized by act of the General Assembly, December
13, 1834, out of Lafayette County, which at that time included all of what
is now Lafayette, Johnson and Henry Counties, the northwest half of St.
Clair, and a narrow strip on the east side of Bates and Cass Counties,
about 1,600,000 acres. Johnson County boundaries were as at present...

The first county court was held at the residence of Mrs. Rachel Houx
near Columbus, on April 13, 1835...

At the second court on May 4, 1835, Richard Hancock was appointed collector
for the county, and the county was divided into four townships, Jackson,
Washington, Jefferson and Madison.

In 1835 the county court appointed four commissioners to select a site
for the future county seat. A site had been selected but some people who
had moved into the county and settled near Shanghai (Cornelia) bitterly
opposed the site because it was on one side of the center of the county.
The commissioners reconsidered their decision and selected Warrensburg
as being as near the center of the county as it was possible to get. The
county then bought the land of the owners and laid out the town of Warrensburg,
now known as Old Town...

In the campaign to move the county seat to Centerview, a newspaper was
published at Holden to especially promote the move, and on August 14, 1872,
the records of the county court show the following: George Washington,
Elhanan Roop, and others filed their petition praying the court to submit
to the voters at the next general election, November 5, 1872, the proposition
"for the removal of the seat of justice of the county of Johnson from the
town of Warrensburg to the town of Centerview." It was taken under advisement
till 1 P.M. Later in the day "George Washington on behalf of the petitioners
withdrew the petition"... (--History of Johnson County, 1918, Cockrell,
pp. 92, 93, 94.)

[II]

Settlements

Bluff Spring

Bluff Spring settlement, including Basin Knob, was among the
first, and was a rival with Columbus settlement. This settlement is part
now within the limits of Kingsville and Jackson Townships, and is extensively
noticed elsewhere. (--History of Johnson County., p. 214.)

Columbus

Columbus settlement is the oldest of the county. Pleasant Rice
came here in 1827 and raised the first corn crop of the county...Within
a few years the settlement was known all over the State, and soon a large
number of emigrants sought here a home. Here the first county courts were
held, and, in fact, the settlement was the hub around which the interests
of the old settlers centered...Here were the first schools and churches
planted...(--History of Johnson County, p. 213.)

Cornelia

Cornelia settlement includes a portion of Post Oak, Chilhowee
and Centerview Townships. One of the first jurymen of the county settled
within these bounds in 1834... (--History of Johnson County, p.
214.)

Dunksburg (Grover Township)

It is on the line of Johnson and Pettis Counties, in Section
1, Township 47 N...In the year 1858 Dr. B. F.Cunkley opened a store at
this place, which was commonly called Dunkley's store. The common chat
among the neighbors "Are you going to the burg?" was answered by the person
who put the question, "What burg?" "Dunklesburg." Finally, through the
joke the name was contracted to Dunksburg, rather by accident. Soon after
this the village began to build up rapidly, so that by 1860, it contained
two stores, blacksmith shop, tailor, shoemaker and a school house.

The Post-office was not established in the township until the pioneers
felt a deeper anxiety to hear from their friends and relatives. Grover
Township never contained but one post-office, and that on the Pettis County
line part of the time in the adjoining county...

The first post-office was named Bee Branch from the little creek nearby
and Benjamin Prigmore was the first postmaster. The office was moved to
the village in 1858, and took the name of the village Dunksburg, by which
it is generally known. During the time of high political excitement, the
name was changed to Sigel in honor of the "flying Dutchman". The latter
name, however, has never been accepted and popularized... (--History
of Johnson County, pp. 619, 620.)

Mail now via Sweet Springs, Saline County; population 25. (--Rand,
McNally, 1974.) See A Directory of Pettis County, January 1980,
Moser, for further details.

Gallaher Mills Settlement

Gallaher Mills settlement was made by Wm. Cheek, in the year
1831, when he erected a water-mill and sawed lumber on Clear Creek Fork
near the line of Grover and Washington Townships. He sold to James A. Gallaher,
in 1834...Near Dunksburg, a settlement was formed at an early date... (--History
of Johnson County, p. 213.)

Huff Settlement

Huff Settlement includes a portion of Post Oak, Chilhowee and
Centerview Townships. Samuel Brown, one of the first jurymen of the county,
settled within these bounds in the 1834'Section... (--History of Johnson
County, p. 214, 215.)

Hazel Hill Settlement

Hazel Hill settlement was made about 1830. Judge Harvey Harrison
came here March 21, 1831, and settled on the head of Walnut Creek...Judge
Harrison was born March 7, 1806, in Tennessee...He emigrated to Alabama,
near Huntsville, before the town was laid out...About 1824 he came to Missouri...
(--History of Johnson County, p. 214.)

Mulkey Settlement

Mulkey settlement was in what is now known as Simpson Township.
James Mulkey settled on Flagstaff, a small stream which took its name from
the abundance of flag growing along the ponds and small lakes on either
side of the creek. Dr. Hamilton C. Davis settled and had an extensive practice
about what is now (1881) called Kirkpatrick's mills. A mill was owned by
Jerome Greer, who, with his brother, had a little store on Blackwater.
(--History of Johnson County, pp. 213, 214.)

Rose Hill Settlement

Rose Hill settlement was made contemporary with surrounding
settlements. Some times this was known as the "Scott Neighborhood". Richard
Scott was one of the prominent settlers...At an early day, a waterpower
grist-mill was erected by Welcome Scott on Big Creek, and was noted far
and near. (--History of Johnson County, p. 214.)

[IV]

Kingsville Township

Bluff Spring was made the first post-office in the township.
Benjamin Longacre was the first postmaster. This was in 1827...The post-office
was discontinued in 1856, and the office was moved to the village of Kingsville,
which was just laid out. Then came Samuel Bolerjack, moving to the new
town and was continued in office until the war of 1861...

It is said that when the mail would arrive that the postmaster would
pour the contents of the mail bag in the middle of the floor, and if any
were present, they could pick their own mail. His wife couldn't read, and
when her husband was absent, and anyone called for mail, she would say,
"Look over this package, an' see ef you got anything." (--History of
Johnson County, pp. 514, 528.)

Owlsey and Wall Settlements

Owsley and Wall settlements included all of Jefferson and part
of Post Oak Townships. John Owsley, Mr. Draper, B. F. Wall....were among
the leading settlers... (--History of Johnson County, p. 215.)